Before visiting the Royal Ontario Museum, it’s worth taking the subway to view the $5 Million artifacts placed underground at the Museum Subway Station (3-minute walk from the ROM).
This museum-like atmosphere is regarded as the most elaborate subway station in Toronto and actually voted one of the top ten most beautiful metro stations in the world.
$5 MILLION?! WHO FUNDED THAT?
$2 million came from private donors, while the remaining $3 million was donated by the Toronto Community Foundation (now known as Toronto Foundation) as part of their “Arts on Track” incentive. This 2008 renovation transformed a boring subway station into a replicated wing of the ROM herself.
Diamond Schmitt Architects worked closely with the TTC in order to achieve this artful space along the tracks.
SO THE CITY DIDN’T USE OUR TAX MONEY?
Apparently not. The Toronto Foundation was started by Fraser Deacon nearly 40 years ago. He aimed to create a charity that served philanthropy in Toronto. Today, the foundation still serves this vision.
WHAT EXACTLY AM I LOOKING AT?
These replicas throughout the station encapsulate:
- Wuikinuxv Nation House Post: A bear-themed column from British Columbia, an original carving from one piece of cedar log.
- Chinese Forbidden City Column: This was inspired by the Hall of Perfect Harmony in Beijing’s Forbidden City.
- Greek Doric Columns: Ancient Greek Temple Architecture.
- Osiris Plaster: Egyptian temple columns that depict Osiris (the Greek God).
- Toltec Warrior Post: based on the ancient Toltec Capital of Tula
ABOUT THE ROM
The ROM is ranked the largest and most visited museum in Canada, ranking in the top 50 worldwide.
